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It has been a mixed few months for Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada, but he had some good news to celebrate from the United Rugby Championship (URC) over the weekend.
After a year dogged by injury, Benetton wing Paolo Odogwu showed that he was back to his best with a try in their 21-18 win against Edinburgh. In doing so he is back in contention for the Azzurri’s July tour to South Africa.
BEST YET
“That was my best performance since I joined Benetton,” he said afterwards. “I’m so happy to be back and to do so in this manner, helping the team to win.”
Italy have flatlined somewhat after Quesada’s tenure began with a best-ever Men’s Six Nations. They won two out of three from their summer tour to Samoa, Tonga, and Japan, but could only beat Georgia in the Autumn Nations Series between defeats to Argentina and New Zealand.
They did little better in the Six Nations. They beat Wales, were competitive in defeats to Scotland and Ireland, and took hammerings from England and France. As such, Quesada needs everyone present and on form for their two tests away to the double world champions.
BACK-THREE OPTIONS
After opening with two tries in six matches after opting to represent his father’s nation of birth, rather than England, Odogwu missed two Six Nations, first with an Achilles tendon tear and then a bicep tear.
His return will give Quesada further options in his back three, especially with Louis Lynagh still working his way back from knee surgery.
“Psychologically it was difficult,” Odogwu added. “I had to give everything to my recovery. Scott Scrafton suffered an injury in that period and so we helped each other during our recovery, to ensure we came back as quickly as possible.
“Last year I had a big injury that unfortunately meant I missed the second half of the season. Now I’m able to play and I feel 100 percent.”